An asteroid flyby is expected on Monday, July 8, involving a space rock the same size as the Statue of Liberty in New York. The asteroid called "2024 MT1" is projected to safely pass by Earth on Monday, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The estimated distance of the asteroid's close approach is almost closer than the Moon while moving at a speed of 40,000 miles per hour (65,000 kilometers per hour).
NASA first observed 2024 MT1 in June 2024 as the space object was approaching Earth in proximity. However, there has been no definitive prediction that it will make a direct impact or strike on our planet. However, over the past 20 years, there have been multiple close calls of other meteoroids hitting Earth, including the approaching "Apophis" asteroid.
Due to the threat posed by near-earth objects such as asteroids and comets, NASA and other space agencies such as the European Space Agency (ESA) have conceptualized or developed planetary defense measures. In 2022, a NASA-led mission to redirect an asteroid was successful. According to experts, the probability that a dangerous meteoroid will hit our planet is extremely low, but it will still happen in the future inevitably.
2024 MT1 Asteroid Flyby
(Photo : Image by urikyo33 from Pixabay)
On Monday, Earth is anticipating a significant asteroid flyby from the 2024 MT1 asteroid at a speed of more than 40,000 miles per hour and at a distance of 936,000 miles (1,500,000 kilometers) away from Earth, which is close in terms of space terms. 2024 MT1 is 260 feet in diameter and comparable to the size of the Statue of Liberty. This means the space rock can cause devastating damage should it make a direct asteroid strike.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, has been tracking the movement of the asteroid which is expected to complete is passage on Earth by the end of July 8. By this time, 2024 MT1 will complete its 9-day journey past our planet since it was first observed by the United States space agency on June 29.
Also Read: 'Potentially Hazardous' Asteroid Expected to Fly by Earth on March 4
What is Planetary Defense Against Asteroids?
While these space objects seem harmless, there are asteroids and comets in our Solar System that are large enough to pose a threat to Earth, prompting planetary defense measures. One of the most recent initiatives is NASA's Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), which was designed to determine how much kinetic force from a spacecraft is needed to deflect NEOs.
Currently, NASA is also monitoring other space rocks making a potential close approach to Earth this week, which have not been deemed to be life-threatening or will make a direct impact on Earth. Below are some of them and when they will make a fly by:
- Asteroid 2024 NB1 on Tuesday, July 9
- Asteroid 2024 NR1 on Tuesday
- Asteroid 2024 NA2 on Tuesday
- Asteroid 2024 ME1 on Wednesday, July 10
- Asteroid 2022 YS5 on Thursday, July 11
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